Counseling Psych's Annual Practicum Fair Draws Huge Crowd

CIIS' Annual Counseling Psychology Practicum Fair Brings over 70 Social Service Agencies to CIIS to Help Jumpstart Careers

By Lisa DenenmarkJanuary 7, 2016

On December 11, Namaste Hall was the place to be for those pursuing a degree in one of CIIS' five Master's in Counseling Psychology programs. More than 70 Social Service Agencies were present at the 2015 Annual Practicum Fair, which this year overflowed into an adjoining room.

MHSA Project's Rachel Bryant

CIIS trains many of the Bay Area's mental health clinicians. One year of approved clinical fieldwork experience, or the equivalent of six semester units, are required as a part of each student's degree program. At the Practicum Fair, both beginning and well-seasoned clinicians have a chance to interact.

Molly Higginson (SOM) alum

"This is a deeply motivating day for both CIIS counseling psychology students and Bay Area social services agencies," says Becky McGovern, Director of MCP Field Placement and Clinic Sites. "For students, academics and classroom clinical practice come alive at the Fair, as directors working in the field showcase opportunities, answer questions, and in some cases, accept resumes on the spot."

Steve Bagga (SOM) intern

For agencies that attend the event by invitation, witnessing the skill sets of CIIS students and their commitment to social justice and community service is energizing. There are students well qualified and eager to begin vital work with people in need. Practicum Fair is a festive and inspirational day all around--and an attestation, especially for those present, of why they entered the counseling profession: to serve.

Field Placement Officers Rodrigo Caldera and Becky McGovern

Staffing and on-hand at many of the tables and booth were CIIS interns who spoke candidly about the process of choosing a practicum site and offered advice to students. Drama Therapy's Kate League, a second-year intern at Albany Children's Center (part of Albany Unified School District), says that new interns should, "Follow your gut instincts and just go for it. If you're not sure, try something out. Now is the time to practice and make mistakes, and figure it out."

Kate League (PDT) intern

Echoing that is Mark Stelzner (ICP), who is interning at Lakeside Park. Mark, who originally thought he'd go the private practice route, became a dad, and it all changed. After a stint at CIIS' Church Street clinic, he began working working at Lakeside Park with people with dementia. He also facilatites a group for new dads. "It's been an interesting little dance," he says. His advice: "Realize that you can change your mind at any point, and you may not know what you want to do until later. I feel like I might have found what I wanted."

Exploring practicum sites

Many CIIS Counseling Psychology graduates return to the Practicum Fair, becoming licensed clinicians, staffing mental health agencies, and working in those organizations in leadership positions to train beginning counselors and therapists. Among the alums present at this year's fair were TJ Alton (PDT) representing the Center for Discovery, a residential eating disorder recovery site in Fremont with other East Bay locations; Molly Higginson (SOM) of Hanna Boys Center, Sonoma; and Alex Thomas (ICP), from the Community Institute for Psychotherapy.

Keith Burrell, Bay Area Community Resources

"I'm so excited to be back here--it's really nice to be on the other side of the table," says Higginson, a recent graduate who works with at-risk teenage boys aged 13-18 at a residential high school. My praticum site hired me as a full-time case worker. It was a steep learning curve, but also a lot of fun." Her advice: "Be open to things. This is not where I thought I would end up--I had no idea that I wanted to work with teenage boys. This is definitely setting me on a course I am happy with."

The Office, located at the Mission Street campus Rooms 200 and 200A, holds Practicum Information Workshops during the Fall and Spring semesters. Group and individual consultation, resume review and practicum interview preparation are available by appointment.